Is Josh Manning Already the Best Wide Receiver Missouri Let Walk Out the Door?

A Transfer Decision That’s Paying Off in a Big Way

Josh Manning spent last season at Missouri. One offseason transfer portal decision later, he’s turning into one of the most productive receivers in the Big 12 — and Missouri fans might want to take notice of what they let leave. Through two games at Kansas State, the move to Manhattan couldn’t be working out better for Manning, and it’s fair to start asking whether Missouri simply let a rising star get away.

Josh Manning Delivers a Career Game Against Washington State

Manning turned in the best performance of his career in K-State’s 34-7 win over Washington State on Saturday, hauling in 10 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. He made his presence felt immediately, catching four passes on the Wildcats’ very first drive alone to help K-State jump out to an early lead the Cougars never threatened.

Collin Klein Heaps Praise on Josh Manning’s Work Ethic and Development

Head coach Collin Klein didn’t hold back his admiration for Manning after the game, crediting his work ethic and overall approach to the game. Klein described Manning as a great teammate who keeps his head down and has earned every bit of his success, adding that seeing that effort translate into an actual breakout performance made him genuinely happy for his receiver.

Why Josh Manning’s Combination of Size and Speed Is a Problem for Defenses

At 6-foot-3, Manning has prototypical size for the position, but Klein believes his ability to separate from defenders is the most underrated part of his game. According to Klein, Manning’s height and long frame can create a deceptive look — he doesn’t appear to be moving especially fast on tape, but Klein says his top-end speed is better than most people give him credit for. Klein also praised Manning’s reliable hands and his feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage, calling his overall route-running and situational awareness a big part of why he’s been so productive early this season.

Josh Manning Is Quickly Becoming Avery Johnson’s Go-To Target

Manning has emerged as the clear favorite target for quarterback Avery Johnson, who finished 22-of-34 passing for 192 yards and three touchdowns against Washington State. Joe Jackson and Brandon White tied for the second-most catches on the team with four apiece, but neither came close to matching Manning’s volume or impact on the game. As Klein noted, Manning’s rare blend of size and speed has allowed the coaching staff to move him around into multiple alignments and route concepts, making him a versatile weapon rather than a one-dimensional target.

Can Josh Manning and Avery Johnson’s Chemistry Carry K-State’s Offense?

Manning and Johnson reportedly put in significant offseason work together to build the kind of trust and timing needed to succeed in-game, but chemistry built in practice only truly gets tested once real competition begins. Two weeks into the season, that early investment already looks like it’s paying real dividends — and it should only make Collin Klein and his offensive staff more confident in what this passing attack can become as Big 12 play ramps up.

Is Josh Manning About to Become One of the Best Receivers in the Big 12?

If Manning continues building on his Week 2 breakout, it’s a fair question to start asking whether he’s emerging as one of the most complete receivers in the entire conference — not just a nice complementary piece, but a legitimate focal point of K-State’s offense. Given how quickly he’s climbed from a situational piece at Missouri to a go-to target in Manhattan, that trajectory doesn’t look like a fluke.

What’s Next for Josh Manning and Kansas State

K-State turns its attention to a Week 3 matchup against Tulane, a team that already surrendered 296 passing yards to South Alabama this season. Given that kind of vulnerability in the secondary, Manning could be in line for another huge outing — and a second straight 100-yard game wouldn’t be a surprise if his current form holds. For a Missouri program watching from a distance, every big performance from here forward is likely to sting just a little more.